The European football community is in mourning with the news that veteran coach Dale Heffron has passed away.
The native of Grand Rapids, Minnesota, who was 70, had just coached the Hemhofen Gechers in Germany’s fourth division to the division title. According to the club, he died of natural causes.
Prior to arriving in Hemhofen, Heffron had coached the Verona Redskins (2023) in Italy’s second division. His dedication and commitment was on full display the year before when as coach of the Vinnytsia Wolves in the Ukraine, he opted to stay in the country and help after Russia launched their invasion in February of 2022. He recruited the aid of coaches throughout Europe to send badly needed supplies to help families in need.
Heffron originally came to Europe in 2012 to coach the Bielefeld Bulldogs and in 2013 guided the team to the promotion series, losing to the Cologne Falcons in a two-game total points series by a single point.
He went on to coach the Paderborn Dolphins, Landsberg X-PRESS and the Marburg Mercenaries in the German Football League.
He was as colorful as he was committed.
He will be missed.